Pool Draining Tips

Before you drain your pool, consult with your pool professional and check your pool chemistry. It may be time to drain your pool if the:

Total dissolved solids (TDS) exceed 1,500 parts per million (ppm), or

Calcium hardness exceeds 350 ppm (or about 20 grains)

If you plan on draining your pool into the sanitary sewer system, notify the Wastewater Division that you plan on draining your pool a half-day ahead of time.

This is a necessary step in your pool draining process. Failure to do so can result in too many pools being drained in one section of town at the same time leading to overflows from sewer lines or at pump stations. Wastewater Division can be contacted at (928) 855-3999 (business hours 7:00am to 4:00pm M-F), or the on-call number is (928) 566-7886.

Find your pool clean out port

The sewer clean-out port will likely be 3 to 4inches in diameter and have a clamped, rubber cover or threaded cap.

If you have difficulty finding the clean-out port, it may be covered by landscaping.

The preferred port is usually located at ground level in the landscaped area of the front yard, close to the home. Some sewer ports may be embedded in the driveway or garage floor.

Some sewer ports may be within a wall. Use caution if this is the case, as wall-mounted ports create greater potential for water to back up into the home.

If there are two ports, use the port nearest to the home and not embedded in the wall.

Do not drain a pool into a septic tank, which can quickly overfill.

How to Prevent Back-Up

The safest flow rates are 12 to 15 gallons per minute (gpm) or less.

Higher flow rates (up to 90 gpm) must be aggressively monitored during the drainage process to prevent problems.

Watch your hose. The force of the water can cause it to dislodge. Also, make sure the hose is securely inside the drain, but not obstructing the main wastewater flow.

Monitor the lowest-lying drains in your home. Any back-up will likely appear there first.

If back-up occurs, stop draining your pool and contact a plumber or a licensed pool service company.

Wind exposure can increase evaporation in uncovered pools. Plant trees and shrubs that have little to no litter that will buffer your pool and won't shed or drop leaves in the water.

Maintain Pool Filters

Wash cartridge filters when your pump operating pressure increases by 10 psi (pounds per square inch). You can wash cartridges on landscape areas since chlorinated pool water is diluted with clean water. Never allow wash water to run into the street.

This four-step bucket test may help you determine if you have a leak or a high evaporation rate.

Turn off the automatic fill valve.

Place a bucket on a step where the bucket rim is at least a few inches above the water line. Place a heavy weight in the bucket and add water until the water level inside the bucket is equal with the water level in the pool.

Leave the bucket and pool undisturbed for several hot days, and then compare the water level in the bucket to the water level in the pool.

If the water level in the bucket is noticeably higher than the water level in the pool, you may be losing water to a leak. Contact a pool leak detection specialist.

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